Romney, 70, will be the heavy favourite for the Senate seat being opened by Sen. Orrin Hatch’s retirement. Hatch was among the first Republicans to pitch Romney as his potential successor. Among the Republican Party’s fiercest internal critics of U.S. President Donald Trump , Romney never mentioned the administration or Trump himself. As he did in two presidential campaigns, Romney’s announcement highlights his stewardship of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Some Utah Republicans may still question whether the one-time abortion-rights supporter is too much of an outsider or too moderate for their tastes, but he’s not expected to face any serious primary or general election challenge.

Source: thestar February 16, 2018 15:49 UTC